Torpedo attacks would weaken an advancing enemy fleet before Japan committed its remaining strength to a decisive battle. That final engagement would demand gunfire as well as torpedoes. The proposed division assigns long-range attrition attacks to destroyers and the final battle to torpedo boats operating closer to their bases. A battle within about 1,000 miles of base would place the smaller craft within reach while reducing their need for the destroyers' endurance. The criticism is that making both types serve both phases produced ships with insufficient range for distant attrition and insufficient gun power to offset superior numbers in the final battle.
Chapter · 1:10:50-1:13:30
Should torpedo attrition and fleet battle use different ships?
The doctrine needed torpedo attacks before the final battle, yet also needed gunfire in that battle, leading to a proposed split in ship roles.